PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,650 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 677.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Why buy it

✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (29,127 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.7 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,979 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13600K

2022

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,650 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 677.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 114.5 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 165W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13600K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (29,127 vs 37,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.7 vs 114.5 PassMark/$ ($1,979 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌32% higher power demand at 165W vs 125W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-13600K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13600K better than Core i9-9980XE?

Yes. Core i5-13600K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 5.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 29.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13600K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13600K is the better fit. You are getting 29.3% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-13600K is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13600K is $1,650 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $1,979 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 677.6% better value on MSRP (114.5 vs 14.7 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-13600K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 18/36. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-13600K Benchmark Check

Core i9-9980XE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	281 FPS	168 FPS
medium	264 FPS	148 FPS
high	220 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	188 FPS	99 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	140 FPS
medium	198 FPS	120 FPS
high	158 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	76 FPS
medium	133 FPS	70 FPS
high	102 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9980XE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	632 FPS	498 FPS
medium	533 FPS	429 FPS
high	450 FPS	370 FPS
ultra	416 FPS	335 FPS
1440p
low	540 FPS	430 FPS
medium	474 FPS	377 FPS
high	403 FPS	329 FPS
ultra	351 FPS	286 FPS
4K
low	316 FPS	268 FPS
medium	282 FPS	234 FPS
high	269 FPS	222 FPS
ultra	238 FPS	192 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9980XE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	663 FPS	728 FPS
medium	543 FPS	728 FPS
high	477 FPS	728 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	645 FPS
1440p
low	600 FPS	728 FPS
medium	499 FPS	659 FPS
high	434 FPS	624 FPS
ultra	376 FPS	554 FPS
4K
low	441 FPS	492 FPS
medium	381 FPS	414 FPS
high	344 FPS	371 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	306 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9980XE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	941 FPS	728 FPS
medium	941 FPS	728 FPS
high	923 FPS	728 FPS
ultra	831 FPS	679 FPS
1440p
low	941 FPS	728 FPS
medium	850 FPS	728 FPS
high	738 FPS	639 FPS
ultra	651 FPS	558 FPS
4K
low	651 FPS	581 FPS
medium	588 FPS	525 FPS
high	529 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	409 FPS

Open Core i5-13600K Open Core i9-9980XE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13600K and Core i9-9980XE

Core i5-13600K

The Core i5-13600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.

Core i9-9980XE

The Core i9-9980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 29,127 points. Launch price was $1,979.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13600K packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-9980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-9980XE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-13600K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9980XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13600K scores 37,655 against the Core i9-9980XE's 29,127 — a 25.5% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-9980XE.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9980XE
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	18 / 36+29%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+13%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB	24.75 MB (total)+3%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	37,655+29%	29,127
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	22,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,459
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	12,177

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13600K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9980XE — the Core i5-13600K supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13600K) vs 4 (Core i9-9980XE). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13600K) vs 44 (Core i9-9980XE) — the Core i9-9980XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K) and X299 (Core i9-9980XE).

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9980XE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	44+120%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-9980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13600K targets Desktop, Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.

Feature	Core i5-13600K	Core i9-9980XE
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13600K launched at $329 MSRP, while the Core i9-9980XE debuted at $1979. On MSRP ($329 vs $1979), the Core i5-13600K is $1650 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13600K delivers 114.5 pts/$ vs 14.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-9980XE — making the Core i5-13600K the 154.4% better value option.